Comments on: Guest Blogger, Victor Rice: So You’re Starting a Ska Band…

By: So You’re Starting A Ska Band, Part 1 - by Victor Rice | Ska 4U

So You’re Starting A Ska Band, Part 1 - by Victor Rice | Ska 4U — Wed, 06 May 2009 20:40:45 +0000

[...] an extraordinary guide to starting for a ska band, from a man who really knows his bidniz. Victor Rice is a master producer, musician, composer, and [...]

By: VR

VR — Fri, 16 Jan 2009 23:40:13 +0000

Thanks, Aaron! I feel there could -and should- be a whole installment livicated to Ska drumming, and I’m not sure I’m up to the task. I have started on Installment #2 though, about recording. And already I am getting bogged down in Drumville. I will talk about the click track for sure!
I do have a lot to say about recording the drums. But most, if not all of it applies to any style.

By: Aaron

Aaron — Fri, 16 Jan 2009 15:51:00 +0000

Nice summation, Victor! The guitar techniques were spot on, although it’s notable that Jah Jerry played the downstroke with his thumb rather than a pick. This was key to his sound.

The only part that is really absent from this great article is ska drumming, something which could take up an entire artcile all on its own. The innovations of jazz drummers to Drumbago and then most importantly Lloyd Knibb and his adaptation of burru drumming to a trap set are immesurable in their importance to the foundation of ska.

Are you planning on writing a drum piece, Vic? If not, I would be more than happy to take a crack at it. I may not be as “qualified” as someone like Eddie Ocampo, Oliver Charles or Korey Horn, but as a ska drummer and researcher I consider myself to be a student of the style and I would love to see more drummers get a better understanding of those dynamics.

Thanks for writing this, Vic. I’m looking forward to the piece on recording!

By: VR

VR — Wed, 17 Dec 2008 22:18:20 +0000

JJ – Yes, that’s it. Also found in some Skatalites and Madness tunes… it can be a musical weapon.

By: JJ Loy

JJ Loy — Wed, 17 Dec 2008 22:09:31 +0000

Victor- Does playing the melody in unison create the “power horn” sound that’s so popular in ska-punk?

By: VR

VR — Wed, 17 Dec 2008 21:50:57 +0000

Dsiebler, glad to be of help. i think playing the melody in unison is an obvious exception to the guideline, since it can be so effective. It can, however, get overused, that’s my only note on that. Using it in certain parts of the tune against harmonies in other parts is a great way to shape an arrangement, as the Skatalites demonstrate.

By: dsiebler

dsiebler — Tue, 16 Dec 2008 20:08:54 +0000

Wow, Vic, you just blew my mind on the horn voicings. Was just listening to Skalloween by Skatalites this morning before I read this article. Disecting the head in that tune, I hear a lot of unison, but then voicings break out in key spots during the melody.

But, in a song like Latin go Ska there is very little unison.

Is this just an aesthetic choice? Or are there some guidelines when and when not to use unison?

By: Dan Neely

Dan Neely — Tue, 09 Dec 2008 05:33:51 +0000

Thanks Vic, that was beautiful. It hit on all cylinders.

By: Maddie Ruthless

Maddie Ruthless — Mon, 08 Dec 2008 20:52:17 +0000

Mr. Rice thank you so much! These are great tips, and being a guitarist, I am going to have to practice this technique. Now that I think about it, I think I have been switching up both techniques. Can you elaborate any more on the bubble with the keyboards? do you think it sounds more solid to keep the upbeats steady in the left hand?

Res: Hey Maddie – glad you liked it! Yes, I think it’s a good idea for the keyboardist to keep the left hand on the upbeat. With the organ in particular, the right hand can play half-time, hitting beats 2 and 4 with the snare drum. That’s the ‘bubble’ I was talking about.